Maya Moore after winning the WNBA Championship 2017 (Photo via: Twitter @minnesotalynx)
March 15, 2019 — Continuing on my Feature Females I wanted to keep a basketball theme going. Maya Moore is 29 year-old Forward from Lawrenceville, GA. Moore was the first round draft pick in 2011 to the Minnesota Lynx, where she won four WNBA Championships, WNBA MVP and so many titles overseas.
Did you know when Moore was drafted she was also named the first female ambassador for the Jordan Brand?
Have you read the stats on this woman? During her four years at the University of Connecticut she was the ninth lead scorer in NCAA history with 3,036 points and won the Top Female Athlete ESPY in 2009 and 2010. “The Huskies posted a 150-4 record (.974), including a perfect 90-0 streak that spanned three seasons, captured the 2009 and 2010 NCAA titles, advanced to the 2008 and 2011 Final Fours and won four Big East Conference Tournament championships and four Big East regular season crowns.” (usab.com)
On a great interview with Jemele Hill (another fantastic woman in sports media), she spoke on some topics that gave me a better understanding of her character. She discussed the issues regarding police brutality and how she wants to use her image to help shed some light on the situation. This issue is partly why Moore is taking a break from basketball in the 2019 season. “My focus in 2019 will not be on professional basketball, but will instead be on the people in my family, as well as on investing my time in some ministry dreams that have been stirring in my heart for many years.” (Moore, M. theplayerstribune.com)
Another reason for backing away from playing the game is because she wants the WNBA to be visibly noticed. In the article (In)Visibility, Moore explains how the lights, fans and media simply disappear once a woman goes Pro. “We go from amazing AAU experiences to high school All-American games to the excitement and significant platform of the collegiate level to … this. All of that visibility to … this. Less coverage. Empty seats. Fewer eyeballs.” (Moore, M. theplayerstribune.com) Moore
Here’s an old clip highlighting her 2017 season:
How will the Lynx do without her? She has signed a contract, but her return is unknown. It will be hard to fill the shoes of incredible player, yet most of the team will return this season: “Center Sylvia Fowles, 33, and guard Seimone Augustus, who will be 34 in April, are returning. Augustus — the longest-tenured Lynx player, entering her 14th season — just signed a multiyear deal on Saturday. Forward Rebekkah Brunson, who turned 37 in December, might return; there are some questions about the lingering effects from a concussion she suffered late last season.
Guards Danielle Robinson, Tanisha Wright and Alexis Jones, and post players Cecilia Zandalasini and Temi Fagbenle are expected back.” (Voepel, M. ESPN.com)
Moore is a fantastic athlete and role model for anyone to admire. I learned so much about her game and character while researching her story. I’m looking forward to what’s to come for her!
thesportsnote 